Long Finishes Solid 16th in Truck Debut at Talladega Superspeedway
October 24, 2011
Johanna Long and the Panhandle Motorsports team returned to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) with a strong run at Talladega Superspeedway. In just her first start at the famed 2.66 Tri-Oval track, Long was able to run in the top-ten for the majority of the race while salvaging an impressive 16th place finish.
Long and her family-owned Panhandle Motorsports team were optimistic after Friday morning’s two-hour practice session. The team made minimal changes throughout practice as she radioed her crew chief Kevin “Cowboy” Starland that she was happy with the handling of her truck. Long went on to qualify for Saturday afternoon’s NCWTS race in the 8th position with a fast time of 54.598 seconds.
Starting the 94-lap race from the 8th position, Long ran comfortably in the top-ten before the second caution flag waved on lap 35. Starland called his driver down to pit road for two Goodyear tires and Sunoco racing fuel. With a strong pit stop by the Panhandle Motorsports team, Long was able to pick up nine positions.
Resuming in the 4th position, Long continued to race competitively inside the top-ten before being shuffled out of the draft and back into the 18th position. Long’s spotter Mike Herman and driver coach Johnny Benson talked Long through the next several laps to assist her in getting back in the draft. Caution waved again on lap 60, and Long pitted for Sunoco racing fuel only.
Restarting on lap 64 in the 17th position, the young driver drafted her way back up to the 13th position before the next caution flag waved for debris on lap 88. Restarting with three laps to go Long battled her way to a respectable 16th-place finish.
Johanna Long and the No. 20 Panhandle Grading and Paving team will be back in action at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, October 29 for the Kroger 200. Live Coverage of the NASAR Camping World Truck Series event will be aired on SPEED at 2:00 pm EDT and on MRN radio at 1:45pm EDT.
“It felt great to be back racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series again at Talladega Superspeedway. I would’ve liked to have had a better finish, but I learned a lot and gained a tremendous amount of valuable experience. I want to thank all of my guys for all of their hard work. I also want to thank Wholesale Controls International for coming onboard as an associate sponsor. I had a blast!”
About Johanna Long:
Johanna Long, one of the youngest drivers in the elite NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, races the No. 20 Pan Handle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra for family-owned Panhandle Motorsports. The 19-year-old began racing at the age of eight, quickly moving from go-karts to Legends cars to a Late Model. She made history, becoming the youngest driver and only female to win a track championship at Five Flags Speedway. She went on to win the prestigious Snowball Derby at the track in 2010. For more information on Johanna, please visit www.JohannaLong.com.
Johanna was thrilled to get her #20 Toyota Tundra back into NCWTS action.
